Skip to content

Youth stories

A Black woman wearing a blue sweatshirt and floral leggings holds a yoga pose. She is encircled by a group of adolescent Black girls wearing matching maroon shirts and holding the same pose. They are a range of light to dark skin tones.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Watch

Learn how the Alliance is joining forces with 26 organizations serving adolescent girls in Chicago and around the world

Learn more
A group of students with medium-light to medium-dark skin tones, wearing khaki pants and a variety of hair styles, stand in front of a white building that reads “Mielle” and a graphic of a woman with long black hair on the wall.
  • Programs
  • The Arts

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

Learn more
Former First Lady Michelle Obama is seated while holding a microphone and sporting long box braids. She is seated in front of signage that says “Futures Series” with the Obama Foundation logo.
  • Programs
  • The Arts

The Obama Foundation Futures Series exposes high school students to career pathways through intimate conversations with accomplished leaders.

Learn more
A rendering of the Library at the Obama Presidential Center. People of all ages and ranges of light to deep skin tones read books at different sections of the library.
  • First Look
  • Building the Center

This unique partnership is the first of its kind and will feature digital media spaces and educational resources for kids and adults.

Learn more
Indigenous girls of the Sacred Valley Project work on school activities together at a long table covered in books, worksheets, colorful markers, and other school supplies.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

Learn how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports secondary education for girls in rural Peru.

Learn more
Brenda, a young Tanzanian girl with a dark skin tone, raises her hand among her classmates. The group is outside and Brenda wears a school uniform with a white collared shirt, striped tie, and sweater. They are all a range of medium to dark skin tones.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

Learn how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports community-driven solutions that advance equality and climate justice in Tanzania.

Learn more
Mrs. Obama hugs a student in a classroom from Malawi as part of her visit to the AGE Africa program. She is wearing a long dress and is standing in a classroom with green walls and chairs that is filled with students. The other girls sit in a circle in their uniforms as they smile and engage with each other.
  • Programs
  • Watch

Last fall, Mrs. Obama spent time with an inspiring group of young women in Malawi who are part of the Girls Opportunity Alliance.

Learn more
Addison, a young Black girl with a light skin tone, films with her camera along Lake Michigan in Chicago. She is wearing a black t-shirt, hoop earrings, and her hair is curly.
  • Watch
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance

Watch how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports girls through mentorship programs in Chicago.

Learn more
A combination picture that includes the headshots of Ny Whitaker, Clarence Fluker, Jason Rahlan, and Pam Coleman. (From left to right:) Ny Whitaker has a medium deep complexion, long black hair, and dark brown eyes. She is wearing a gold blazer, a blue shirt, and a black watch with a gold frame. She is smiling off into the distance looking away from the camera to the left side. Behind her is a brown wall and a window that overlooks a city building. Jason Rahlan has a pale complexion, dark eyes, a bald head, and a dark brown goatee. He is wearing a checkered shirt and smiling into the camera. Behind him is a city street (presumably a street in Manhattan, New York.) Clarence Fluker has a deep medium skin complexion, a bald head, brown eyes, a mustache, and a closely cut goatee. He is wearing a white button down shirt and smiling into the camera. The background behind him is blue. Pam Coleman has a light olive complexion, blue eyes, and gray wavy hair. She is wearing a green shirt, a blue and red pendant necklace, and smiling into the camera. The background behind her is gray.
  • Scholars
  • Voyagers

Find out what Obama Scholars and Voyagers are learning from our alumni.

Learn more
A group of three smiling girls with a range of light to medium skin tones run together on an outdoor court.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Chicago

See how Girls in the Game is empowering girls through sports programming to develop their health, leadership, and life skills.

Learn more
missing
  • MBK Alliance
  • Health & Wellbeing

MBK Omaha has become a Model Community for showing a population-level impact on Milestone 6, all youth remain safe from violent crimes by demonstrating a 30 percent decrease in homicides from 2011 to 2022.

Learn more
A group of Black women and girls pose with a van wrapped with M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment branding and images of adolescent Black girls. The group is holding a copy of Governor Prizker’s state proclamation recognizing Girls Health Matters Day.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Chicago

The Girls Opportunity Alliance supports M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment's new Resource Van and the state of Illinois declares first Girls Health Matters Day.

Learn more
Dr. Edwin Quezada, a man with a medium skin tone points as he speaks to an audience. He is wearing glasses and a powder blue suit.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Community Engagement

Hear directly from one of the My Brother’s Keeper Model Communities on how they achieved a 91 percent graduation rate for students of color.

Learn more
placeholder
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Community Engagement

Discover how Ladies of Virtue is transforming lives through mentorship and leadership

Learn more
placeholder
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Michelle Obama

Find out how 14 organizations will expand their programing and impact

Learn more
A group of high school students with a range of light to deep skin tones pose around Gallerist Easy Otabo and artist Michael C. Thorpe. In the background, a monitor displays the Obama Foundation rising sun logo and reads, “Obama Foundation.”
  • The Arts
  • Futures Series

See how the students explored expression and possibilities at EXPO Chicago.

Learn more
Michelle Obama addresses the Global Summit on Women's Empowerment in Dubai. Michelle Obama is sitting at a long table surrounded by three other women. The women are speaking to one and other and smiling.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Programs

Learn more about how the Girls Opportunity Alliance is working to empower and educate girls around the world

Learn more
On the South Lawn, President Obama walks in the middle of a group of young men. All have a range of light to deep skin tones. They are wearing a mix of casual and professional attire.
  • Watch
  • MBK Alliance

Get to know two young men carrying forward the legacy of MBK

Learn more
President Obama stands in the middle of young leaders at MBK Rising! All men are dressed professionally and have a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Presidential History

Take a look back at some of the program's most inspiring moments.

Learn more
missing
  • MBK Alliance
  • The Arts

The My Brother’s Keeper Alliance released a Black History Month reading list for young leaders

Learn more
placeholder
  • Voyagers
  • Watch

Meet recipients of the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service or learn how you can apply to be in the next cohort!

Learn more
Daniel Fairley II, a Black man with a light skin tone smiles at the camera. He has short black hair and glasses. He is wearing a light purple blazer and a dark purple hoodie.
  • Alumni
  • Leaders

Meet an Obama Leader supporting Virginians in need.

Learn more
Ziad Ahmed, a man with a medium skin tone, smiles at the camera. He has black hair and is wearing a red patterned jacket. He is sitting on an apple box. The background is brown.
  • Leaders
  • USA

Learn how Ziad Ahmed built a successful company by listening to the next generation.

Learn more
DeKevious Wilson, a Black man with a deep skin tone, looks off camera as he stands in front of a home. He has a salt and pepper afro and beard. He is wearing a Becoming a Man t-shirt and denim jacket.
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Scholars

DeKevious Wilson strengthens youth mental health through policy work.

Learn more
Brandon Breaux, a Black man with a deep skin tone, stands over five seated students. On the table is an iPad and illustrations. He is wearing a mint beanie. Space art is on the wall in the background.
  • First Look
  • The Arts

Artist Brandon Breaux and Dyett High School students showcase the power of culture and community.

Learn more
A woman with a deep skin tone wears black framed glasses with silver droplet earrings and bracelet as she serves food with clear gloves on. She is wearing a purple shirt. The receiver is a young girl with a deep skin tone and medium length straight black hair. She is holding up a plate and is wearing a baby blue mask and gray shirt. Along the table are three trays filled with food and vegetables.
  • Chicago
  • Community Engagement

We partner with Local Lunchbox to provide thousands of meals to our young people over the summer months.

Learn more
President Obama poses for a photo with Guitars Over Guns participants. He is surrounded by 17 others with a range of light to deep skin tones.
  • MBK Alliance
  • The Arts

Learn more about Nathan, his experience at Guitars Over Guns, and his plans for the future.

Learn more
President Obama stands in the middle of a recording studio. He is surrounded by 15 other young people with a range of light to deep skin tones. President Obama has his arms crossed and is wearing black slacks and a gray button down shirt.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Watch

See how President Obama is supporting youth and making a difference for young men.

Learn more
Raven Smith, a Black woman with a medium skin tone, smiles at the camera. She is wearing a long sleeved white shirt and red plaid pants. Her arms are crossed and she has long black hair.
  • The Arts
  • Chicago

Young Chicagoan Raven Smith created the t-shirt company Straight From The GO – All Good Things From ChicaGO to dispel negative perceptions about violence in Chicago

Learn more
Leah Whitmoyer sorts olives with another woman with a medium skin tone and black hair on an olive farm in Taounate, Morocco. Three others stand in the background.
  • Sustainability
  • Voyagers

Voyager to tackle food and water insecurity during Summer Voyage

Learn more
Mustika Wijaya stands with the Wekeke village chief and religious leader at the site of Solar Chapter’s pump installation. They are surrounded by rocks and construction.
  • Sustainability
  • Scholars

Obama Scholar creates clean water for rural Indonesians

Learn more
A Black boy with a deep skin tone wears a sweatshirt and holds onto the rim of a basketball net, looking upward. The sky behind is a deep blue.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Chicago

Check out the Freedom Summer 2023 grant recipients!

Learn more
A large visual of "2022" with blue and green ombre numbers and white background.
  • Stories
  • Programs

As we reflect on this year, we couldn’t be more proud of the work of our global network of leaders who are tackling some of the most vital issues of our time and working together to strengthen their communities and our institutions.

Learn more
President Obama and Stephen Curry, a man with a light-medium skin tone, light brown hair, wearing a dark blue suit jacket and jeans, speak to a panel of young men with various skin tones. The background includes white, orange, and blue ¨MBK Rising¨ and Obama Foundation graphics.
  • MBK Alliance
  • Event

MBK Rising! brought together the growing network of MBK Communities, cross-sector leaders, and young men of color and the organizations working hard to help them achieve their dreams. See the highlights

Learn more
This picture shows a man and a woman with medium skin tones crouching
behind a tree outside, with a pink bicycle behind them.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Education

Read Hay’s story from Vietnam.

Learn more
A young woman with a medium-deep skin tone and long black and brown hair,
 is shown in a school classroom holding multiple books.
  • Girls Opportunity Alliance
  • Education

Read Kiran’s story from India.

Learn more
undefined
An illustration of four people with a range of light to deep skin tones lifting one another up on top of a paper plane. The background is pink.

Sign up for the latest on the Obama Foundation

Get the latest news and updates by signing up for Obama Foundation emails. (All fields required.)